How to Spot a Cataract Yourself

When it's hot out the scorching heat can cause eyes problems. Cataracts are one troublesome occurrence that the sun can do to damage and block valuable eyesight. What is a cataract? A cataract is a cloudy buildup over the crystalline lens of the eye.

If you want to see if you are beginning to form a cataract or if you are in an intermediate stage to a full blown advanced degree of one there is a simple test that you can do at home. The test will reveal every level by allowing you to see for yourself the changes that are happening.

To do the test all you need is a mirror. If you are having a difficult time seeing then you can ask a friend or a relative to help thus eliminating the need for the mirror at all because the other person will be your eyes and essentially you will be the test subject.

Look in the mirror at the pupil, the black dot in the center of the eye, this will be the place where a cataract will form. What do you see? If you see a cloudy dot or haze anywhere in the pupil that is a cataract. Your eye pupil should be completely black to be cataract free. You may not see anything. Look for a color change in the pupil. If the pupil does not look completely black all over but you notice that part of it is misty or lighter colored then the rest chances are you have a cataract. You can do the test everyday to check for any changes that may be taking place. That way if you do have a cataract you can check to see how bad it is getting on a daily basis or if it is getting worse at all. Sometimes the cataract appears dormant.

For prevention of a cataract from outside sun exposure there are a few things you can do.

Wear a hat.

Wear sunshades with UVA and UVB protection.

Don't go outside when the heat index is high.

Avoid lengthy stays outside by minimizing your time in the sun.

Avoid tanning.

Avoid sitting or lounging for long periods of time by water.
Water will reflect sun.

Avoid repeated sunburn of the eyes.

If you have sunburn of the eyes you may experience redness, lack of tears or frequent tearing up, a burning sensation that continues after you go inside or a combination of the above symptoms.